Etoile Errante: Human Connection Vs. Human Conflict

Katie Crocker Crocker 1
Ms. Healey
AP English Literature
November 12, 2016
Human Connection Verses Human Conflict in Etoile Errante
J.M.G Le Clezio’s book, Etoile errante, explores the human experience resulting from war and conflict through a poetic and sensuous style of writing. Through changes in narration, symbolism, and vivid descriptive details, Le Clezio draws the reader into a heart wrenching story that convinces the reader of the strength and tenacity of the human spirit. The two protagonist of Etoile errante seem to be reflections of each other. Esther, a young Jewish girl living in France, is part of the mass exodus of her people to Jerusalem. Nejma, a young Palestinian girl, becomes a refugee once the State of Israel

His poetic, symbolic, and sensuous language creates overlapping themes of wandering and growth. The symbolism of the word star is first seen in the title of the book. “The evocative, haunting title Etoile errante (literally “wandering star”) suggests a spliced reference to “shooting star” (“etoile filante”) and “wandering Jew” (“Juif errante”)” (Putnam, 312). Esther’s name means star in Spanish. “That pleased her father and so he said her name in Spanish, ‘Estrellita, little star,’” (Le Clezio, 5). Nejma’s name translated from Arabic also means star (Putnam, 319). Not only do both of their names have greater meaning, the star is also a part of both Jewish and Islamic religious imagery. Thus Le Clezio prepares the reader for both the wanderings of the two protagonists and their deep connections to each

The oppressor/oppressed paradigm has been reversed, as the same affliction continues to ravage the land,” (Moser, 81). The effects of this reversal can be seen in the changing narrative voices of Esther and Nejma. This uneasy change in fate is shown by the contrast between the celebrating Jewish settlers and the extreme poverty and disorientation of the Arab refugees (Levy, 7). The moment that Esther and Nejma meet, Esther realizes the deep hate both sides have for each other. The women beside Esther says, “No one is innocent, they’re the mothers and wives of the men who are killing us” (Le Clezio 194). Despite this, Esther is able to recognize that the plight of the Arab refugees had, until recently, been her